Jennie Jones

What does a house or a home mean to characters in a book? With the release of my fourth book in the Swallow’s Fall series, The Turnaround Treasure Shop, I decided to go outside my four walls and ask my neighbours - authors of contemporary and historical fiction. Over 12 days special guest authors talk us through A house is a home when…

Character: Samira, heroine and the ‘princess bride’ from the title.Character bio: It seems like she has it all – beauty, wealth and privilege. But Samira knows too well that can’t guarantee happiness. Born to a dysfunctional family, she’s also been betrayed by her lover with dire consequences. Now she’s picking up the pieces, building her career and getting her life on track. That means risking everything to win what she most wants in life: the family she’s been told she can never have.

The House: Not your house next door. Samira was born royal and though she’d happily give up the trappings of privilege, the man she yearns for, the only man she trusts, is royal too. Have you ever imagined a sprawling, glorious desert palace, like something out of The Arabian Nights? That’s her new home. Think old world tradition mixed with modern luxury.

What does a house or a home mean to Princess Samira?

The building doesn’t matter, nor does the location. For Samira it’s all about being part of a loving family. She finds that with Tariq and his twin sons, who welcome her into their lives. Home is about heart and building something positive. It’s about belonging.

An excerpt from The Sheikh's Princess Bride by Annie West:

Abruptly Tariq stood. Samira blinked, her gaze sliding over his amazing bronzed body. Surely it wasn’t regret she felt because he was leaving?Recognising that she didn’t want him to leave stole her voice.‘That’s a start,’ he murmured finally.‘A start?’Tariq nodded. ‘One day soon we’ll be husband and wife in every sense of the word.’Samira shook her head. He had it all wrong.‘Not because I demand it but because it’s what we both want.’ He leaned close, his eyes tourmaline shards that dared her to deny it. ‘I promise you, Samira, you’ll be with me every step of the way.’ It was a threat but it sounded like a promise. A promise that sounded appallingly enticing.She wanted to object, argue, say something to puncture his arrogant certainty. But instead her tongue cleaved to the roof of her mouth.His gaze scorched and Samira felt the sizzle in every inch of her body. His slow smile hitched his mouth up at one side, creating a sexy groove down one cheek that made her insides clutch. He looked so utterly confident, as if he’d never had a doubt in his life. ‘The next time you kiss me it won’t be because I ask, Samira, but because you want me.’

The Sheikh's Princess Bride by Annie West

The back cover blurb from The Sheikh's Princess Bride by Annie West:

Wanted: royal bride and mother For Sheikh Tariq of Al-Sharath, one miserable marriage was enough. With a kingdom to rule, he has no time—or wish—to find a bride, but his children need a mother. Could Princess Samira of Jazeer be the answer?

Samira has sampled passion, and it left a bad taste. With the knowledge she can’t have the children she’s always wanted, Samira steps into Tariq’s ready-made family. Her only condition? No sex! Samira thought royal duties and her love for Tariq’s children would fill the hole in her heart, but a craving is building that only the sheikh’s touch can cure…

Two powerful princes…and the only women who can tame them.Sultan Asim of Jazeer and Sheikh Tariq of Al-Sarath are both bound by honor, duty and tradition. They’ve always known they must marry, but it would be for the good of their kingdoms -not for love. Yet now two very different women threaten the vows Asim and Tariq have always sworn to uphold. As desire burns hotter than the desert sand, can these powerful sheikhs withstand the heat of temptation?

There are 3 different covers for each book in the Desert Vows duet depending where you live.Here are the three covers for The Sheikh's Princess Bride.

Australia & New Zealand / USA / UK

Books #1 and #2 in Desert Vows duet by Annie West

Leave a comment to go into the draw to WIN a paperback copy of either The Sultan's Harem BrideorThe Sheikh's Princess Bride - winner's choice!

Open internationally to all.

Good Luck!

You'll find all the links of where to buy and discover more about USA Today bestselling author AnnieWest over on: annie-west.com

And pop back tomorrow! Three days to go of special guest authors.

Tomorrow it's a major league Aussie rural romance and women's fiction author. You'll be taking your heart on a country adventure with a character who is the aunt of the book’s heroine, and is an extremely glamorous double-divorcee who dresses and acts like an Italian film siren…

Jennie, in the company of Annie West x

After you’ve left a comment for Annie, why not scroll down or click the links and visit previous days and maybe win a book:

What stunning exotic covers, just what we need to warm up during these cold winter mornings and nights. The perfect escape! Happy to read either book if given the opportunity to win. Thanks Jennie and Annie West.

So glad you enjoyed Asim's story. Hope you enjoy 'Princess Bride' as much as my sultan!

Yes, I agree, I wouldn't mind an old style Arabian's Night's castle either, especially one with great plumbing! (G). Samira is very lucky in that respect, though luckiest of all, I think, with her hero. Of course I may be biased.

Hi Jennie! Hi Annie! Annie, firstly let me say how much I loved The Sheikh's Princess Bride. Such a gorgeous story - and it's lovely to see Samira find out where she belongs in the end! That's my definition of home - where you belong. And Tariq is such a lovely hero! Actually one of the fun bits of this gig is making up the houses where our heroes and heroines live. I know I have a wonderful time with those gorgeous British stately homes - you did a wonderful stately home with your AN ENTICING DEBT TO PAY. Loved that story - and the house!

Hi Anna and thanks so much for the kind words about 'The Sheikh's Princess Bride'. So chuffed you enjoyed it. Yes, I rather fell for Tariq too, I must admit, and that was even without his house!

I often think it would be fun creating those stately homes you do so well in your historical romances. As you say, setting 'An Enticing Debt to Pay' gave me a lovely chance to do that and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Some of your stately home research has led to me discovering new places in my occasional visits to the UK so please, please keep it up!

Reply

Jennie Jones

26/5/2015 10:12:39 am

Hi Anna - one of the best things for me in any romance book (any genre) is when a character finds the place they belong. Be it a terraced house, a palace, a boat, or a stately home - whatever pertains to their situation in the story. Although, yes, I'm a huge fan of stately homes and have visited many in the UK and would honestly take one on all alone if someone was kind enough to give me one - possible ghosts and all :)

Laura Boon

26/5/2015 06:03:13 am

I think I'd love Samira's house ... not sure I want a home in the Desert but that said, better a dry desert than hot and humid!

Reply

Jennie Jones

26/5/2015 10:07:04 am

I much prefer dry heat to humid, Laura - and I'd love to spend a week at Princess Samira's place. Fortunately, I can - in the book! :)

Reply

Annie West

26/5/2015 12:04:58 pm

Hi Laura, I'm with you on avoiding the humidity! That can be so rough in summer on the coast here. Well, it's a house with all the amenities and a city close by so I think it wouldn't be too hard to take, but maybe not for everyone.

Reply

Franca Poli

26/5/2015 06:12:15 am

Hello Annie, I read Princess Samira and Sheikh Tariq. And 'one of my favorite books, because even speaks of Arab sheiks, and I love these stories, and it is also a way of dreaming and your books do really dreaming. Thank you.

Reply

Jennie Jones

26/5/2015 10:05:48 am

I'm so happy to have so many much-loved authors on this blog series, Franca - and isn't it lovely to have a dream we can be whisked away to in a book? Thanks for visiting Annie!

Reply

Annie West

26/5/2015 12:06:58 pm

Jennie, it's an absolute pleasure to be here. Thanks for having me!

Annie West

26/5/2015 12:06:19 pm

Hi Franca, how lovely to see you here. I'm so pleased you enjoyed this book. Thrilled, in fact, that it's one of your favourites. I love a dreamy setting for a romance, and particularly a sheikh book so I'm glad this one hit the spot.

I'm a huge Annie West fan! I'm thrilled to have won a copy of The Sultan's Harem Bride in a previous giveaway, so don't worry to enter me in the draw. I just wanted to stop by and say hi to an author who is an inspiration and all round 'nice guy'. ;) Have fun on your tour, Annie! Waving hi to Jennie (another good friend and inspiring author).

Reply

Jennie Jones

26/5/2015 10:03:30 am

You lucky thing already having won a copy, Juanita! And yes, Annie West is an "all round nice guy" :)

Reply

Annie West

26/5/2015 12:09:33 pm

Gee, thanks, Jennie. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy after such a nice reception here.

Annie West

26/5/2015 12:08:52 pm

Aw, that's so lovely of you, Juanita! Thanks so much. Fabulous to think you find some inspiration in what I do - wow! I appreciate you dropping by to say hi.

HI Annie and waving to Jennie, As you know, I love your sheikh stories. Your heroes are so gorgeous but so noble as well. Love the covers of these books. Please don't put me in the draw as I am fortunate enough to already own them! Whoever wins is in for a treat.

Reply

Annie West

26/5/2015 12:12:40 pm

Hi Kandy, and thanks for dropping by. That's so kind of you! I always think of you if I have a new sheikh story out. I love the honourable protective type hero for these stories - glad you do too.

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Jenna O

26/5/2015 02:38:59 pm

I love the cover of this book! And would love to read them both :)

Reply

Annie West

27/5/2015 02:36:14 am

Hi Jenna. Isn't it a gorgeous cover? I'm so glad Samira is wearing such a terrific dress, since she's a designer!

Lexie that sounds so romantic! I love seeing reflections in the water. A moonlit lake would be just terrific. Thanks for stopping by to comment.

Reply

Jennie Jones

31/5/2015 07:30:31 am

AND THE WINNER IS: Amanda Barrett - thank you so much everyone for joining in the fun - let's do it again soon. Amanda - Annie West will contact you via the (private) email address you left your comment with. Congrats! xx